AU2007209786B2 - Bill handling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A bili handling apparatus accord ng to one embodiment of the invention has a frame provided with a bill feeding path in which a bill is fed and with side 5 wall portions provided in the width direction of the bill feeding path, a bill reading section installed in the frame to read a fed bill, and a bill identifying section for identifying authentication of the bill read by the bill reading section. The bill reading section is 10 provided with a light guide member to which light is input from a light-emitting device as a light-emitting portion that applies the light to the fed bill, and the light guide member is installed to enter inside the side wall portions. to IC)l cuL

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 - Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title Bill handling apparatus The following statement is a full description of this invention, inchiding the best method of performing it known to me/us: P/00/0 II 1 09* The present disclosure relates to subject mal-ter 5 contained in Japan Patent Application No. 2006-225749 filedonAugust 22, 2006, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entireties. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 The present invention relates to a bill handling apparatus for feeding abill inserted fromabill insertion slot, while reading the fed bill to identify the validity. Generally, a bill handling apparatus identifies the 15 validity of a bill inserted from a bill insertion slot by a user, and is incorporated into service apparatuses that provides various kinds of products and service corresponding to the bill value judged as being valid, such as, for example, a game media lending machine 20 installed in a game hole, or an automatic dispenser, ticket-vending machine and the like installed in public areas. The bill handling apparatus is usually provided with operation devices such as a bill feeding mechanism that 25 feeds a bill inserted into a bill insertion slot, bill reading means for executing readout of the fed bill, bill identifying means for identifying the validity (also 2A7 C;L3 referred to as authentication judgment) from the read bill information and the like, and control means for driving and controlling the operation devices. The above-mentioned bill reading means is provided 5 with a photosensor which applies light to the fed bill and detects the reflected light and/or transmitted light, and thebill identifying means compares a detection signal from the photosensor with beforehand stored authorized bill data to identify the validity. In this case, as 10 disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-357429, the bill identification accuracy is improved by detecting the entire width direction of the fed bill. In other words, disclosed in the publication No. 2001-357429 is a technique for forming the bill reading 15 means comprised of the so-called line sensor formed of a light-emitting portion that irradiates almost the entire region of a passage width of the bill in the shape of a slit, and a light-receiving portion comprised of a photodiode array, reading information of the entire 20 width of the passed bill, and thereby improving the identification accuracy of the validity. Then, the light-emitting portion that irradiates in the shape of a slit is comprised of a light guide member that extends in the width direction of the fed bill and 25 that receives at its one end the light applied from at least one LED, such a light guide member and light-receiving portion are disposed opposite to each C:\NRPonbF\DCC\MAS\4531807 I DOC-22/08/2012 -3 other with a bill feeding path positioned therebetween, or disposed in parallel with each other on one side of the bill feeding path, and readout of the bill information is thereby executed. 5 As described above, in the configuration where the light of the LED that is an emitter is applied to the light guide member, due to characteristics of the light guide member, there is a problem that emission amounts are unstable at its one end and the other end. Therefore, in 10 the case of using, as an irradiation portion, a predetermined length from the center portion where the emission amount of the light guide member is stable to opposite end portions, it is necessary to dispose the opposite end portions of the light guide member to exceed 15 the passage width of the bill, and a problem arises that the bill identifying apparatus is increased in size in the bill passage width direction. Accordingly, a bill handling apparatus enabling its miniaturization is required. 20 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a bill handling apparatus comprising: a frame having a bill feeding path in which a bill is 25 fed, and a side wall portion provided in a width direction of the bill feeding path; a bill reading section, installed in the frame, for reading a fed bill; and a bill identifying section for identifying 30 authentication of the bill read by the bill reading section, wherein C:NRPotb\DCCMAW531907_1 DOC-22/08/2012 -4 the bill reading section has a light guide member to which light is input from a light-emitting device, as a light-emitting portion that applies the light to the fed bill, 5 the light guide member is a rod-shaped member extending widthwise of the bill feeding path, and guides the light input from one end to the other end along a longitudinal direction of the light guide member; both ends of the light guide member are disposed in 10 side wall portions of the frame; and a portion other than said both ends of the light guide member is disposed on the bill feeding path defined at each of the side wall portions of the frame. The invention is further described by way of example 15 only with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in 20 and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 25 i A 0 j2 39J I s a perspective view showing an entire configuration of one embodiment of a bill Landling apparatus according to the invention; FIG.2 is a perspective view showing a state where 5 an upper frame is opened with respect to a lower frame; FIG.3 is a plan view showing a bill feeding path portion of the lower frame; FIG.4 is a rear elevational viewof the lower frame; FIG.5 is a perspective view showing a configuration 10 of a bill detecting sensor; FIG.6 is a view schematically showing the configuration of the bill handling apparatus; FIG.7 is a side elevational view of the bill handling apparatus; 15 FIG.8 is another rear elevational view of the lower frame, showing a state where a control board is removed; and FIG.9 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the bill handling apparatus. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to accompanying drawings. 25 FIGs.l to 4 are views showing a configuration of a bill handling apparatus according to this embodiment, FIG.1 is a perspective view showing an entire configuration, FTIG.2 is a perspective view showing a state where an upper frame is opened with respect to a lower frame, EIG.3 is a plan view showing a bill feeding path portion of the lower frame, and FIG.4 is a rear elevational 5 view of the lower frame. A bill handling apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured to be capable of being incorporated into a game media lending apparatus (not shown) installed among various kinds of game machines such as, for example, slot 10 machines and the like. In this case, the game media lending apparatus may be provided with another apparatus (for example, a bill storage unit, coin identifying apparatus, storage media processing apparatus, power supply apparatus and the like) on the upper or lower side 15 of the bill handling apparatus 1, and the bill handling apparatus 1 may be formed integrally with the other apparatus, or formed separately. Then, when a bill is inserted in such a bill handling apparatus 1 and the validity of the inserted bill is judged, the processing 20 corresponding to the bill value is performed such as the processing for lending game media, the processing of writing in a storage medium such as a prepaid card, or like. The bill handling apparatus 1 is provided with a 25 frame 2 formed in the shape of a substantially cuboid, and the frame 2 is mounted to a locking portion of the game media lending apparatus not shown in the figure.

The frame 2 has a lower Lrame 2B as a base side and an upper f rame 2A openable/closable with respect to the lower frame 2B to cover the lower frame 2B. The frames 2A and 2B are configured to be opened and closed with a base 5 portion as a turn center as shown in FIG.2. The lower frame 2B has the shape of a substantially cuboid, and is provided with a bill feeding face 3a for feeding a bill, and side wall portions 3b formed on the opposite sides of the bill feeding face 3a. Meanwhile, 10 the upper frame 2A is configured in the shape of a plate provided with a bill feeding face 3c, and when the upper frame 2A is closed to enter between the side wall portions 3b on the opposite sides of the lower frame 2B, a clearance (bill feeding path) 5 to feed a bill is formed between 15 opposite portions of the bill feeding face 3a and bill feeding face 3c. Then, the upper frame 2A and lower frame 2B are respectively provided with bill insertion portions 6A and 6B adapted to the bill feeding path 5. These bill 20 insertion portions 6A and 6B form a bill insertion slot 6 in the shape of a slit when the upper frame 2A and lower frame 2B are closed, and as shown in FIG.1, a bill M is inserted inside from a shorter side of the bill along the direction of allow A. 25 Further, a lock shaft 4 capable of locking in the lower frame 2B is disposed on the front end side of the upper frame 2A. The lock shaft 4 is provided with an operation portion 4a, and by operation the operation portion 4a to rotate against the biasing force of a biasing spring 4b, rotates on a pivot P as a center to release the lock state of the upper frame 2A and lower frame 2B 5 (the state where the frames are closed: overlapping state). In the lower frame 2B are provided a bill feeding mechanism 8, a bill detecting sensor 1.8 that detects a bill inserted in the bill insertion slot 6, bill reading 10 means(a bill reading section) 20 that is installed on the downstream side of the bill detecting sensor 18 and that reads informationof the bill in a fed state, a shutter mechanism 50 that is installed in the bill feeding path 5 between the bill insertion slot 6 and the bill detecting 15 sensor 18 and that is driven to block the bill insertion slot 6, and control means (circuit control board(a bill identifying section)) 100 for controlling driving of structural members such as the aforementioned bill feeding mechanism 8, bill reading means 20, shutter 20 mechanism 50 and the like, while identifying (performing authentication judgment processing) the validity of the read bill. The bill feeding mechanism 8 is a mechanism capable of feeding the bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 25 6 along the insertion direction A, while feeding back the bill in an insertion state toward the bill insertion slot 6. The bill feeding mechanism 8 is provided with P AD -7(75 a driving motor 10 that is a drivlin source installed on the lower frame 2B side, and feeding roller pairs 12, 13 and 14 which are driven to rotate by the driving motor 10 and disposed in the bill feeding path 5 at predetermined 5 intervals along the bill feeding direction. The feeding roller pair 12 is provided with driving rollers 12A disposed on the lower frame 2B side, and pinch rollers 12B disposed on the upper frame 2A side to come into contact with the driving roller 12A. These driving 10 rollers 12A and pinch rollers 12B are installed in two respective locations at predetermined intervals along the direction perpendicular to the bill feeding direction. These driving rollers 12A and pinch rollers 12B are exposed at their parts to the bill feeding path 15 5. The driving rollers 12A installed in two respective positions are fixed to a driving shaft 12a rotatably supported by the lower frame 2B, and the two pinch rollers 12B are rotatably supported by a spindle 12b supported 20 by the upper frame 2A. In this case, a biasing member 12c for biasing the spindle 12b to the driving shaft 12a side is provided in the upper frame 2A, and brings the pinch rollers 12B into contact with the driving roller side 12A by predetermined pressure. 25 In addition, as in the roller pair 12, the feeding roller pairs 13 and 14 are respectively comprised of two driving rollers 13A, 14A fixed to driving shafts 13a, 14a, and two pinch rollers 13B, 14B rotatably supported by spindles 13b, 14b, and the pinch rollers 13B, 14B are brought into contact with the driving rollers 13A, 14A by biasing members 13c, 14c, respectively. 5 The feeding roller pairs 12, 13 and 1.4 are driven in synchronization with one another by a driving force conveying mechanism 15 coupled to the driving motor 10. The driving force conveying mechanism 15 is comprised of a gear train disposed rotatably on one side wall portion 10 3b of the lower frame 2B. More specifically, the mechanism 15 is formed of the gear train having an output gear 10a fixed to an output shaft of the driving motor 10, input gears 12G, 13G and 14G which are sequentially engaged in the output gear 10a and mounted on the end 15 portions of the driving shafts 12a, 13a and 14a, respectively and idle gears 16 installed between the gears. According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the driving motor 10 is driven forward, each of the 20 feeding roller pairs 12, 13 and 14 is driven to feed the bill in the insertion direction A, while when the driving motor 10 is driven reversely, being driven reversely to send the bill back to the bill insertion slot side. The bill detecting sensor 18 is to generate a 25 detection signal in detecting a bill inserted in the bill insertion slot 6, and in this embodiment, is installed between rotating pieces constituting the shutter P A 07 259 mechanism described larer, and the bill reading means 20 for reading the bill. The bill detecting sensor 18 is comprised of, for example, an optical type sensor, more specifically, a regression reflective photosensor, 5 and as shown in FIG.5, formed of a prism 18a installed on the upper frame 2A side and a sensor body 18b installed on the lower frame 2B side. More specifically, the prism 18a and sensor body 18b are arranged in such a mariner that light emitted from a light-emitting portion 18c of 10 the sensor body 18b is detected by a light-receiving portion 18d of the sensor body 18b thorough the prism 18a. When a bill is passed through the bill feeding path 5 positioned between the prism 18a and sensor body 18b and the light is not detected in the light-receiving 15 portion 18d, the sensor 18 generates a detection signal. In addition, the bill detecting sensor 18 may be comprised of a mechanical type sensor, as well as the optical type sensor. On the downstream side of the bill detecting sensor 20 18 is installed the bill reading means 20 for reading the bill information on the bill in a fed state. The bill reading means 20 is only required to have a configuration for irradiating the bill with the light to read the bill information when the bill is fed by the bill feeding 25 mechanism 8, and generating a signal to enable the validity (authentication) of the bill to be judged, and in this embodiment, is configured to perform readout of the bill by applying rhe light from the opposite sides, and detecting the transmitted light and reElected ligh: by a light-receiving device such as a photodiode or the like. Then, the optical signal on the read bill information 5 undergoes photoelectric transformation, and is compared with the beforehand stored data of the authorized bill in the bill identifying means, and the authentication of the fed bill is thus judged. On the downstream side of the bill insertion slot 10 6 is disposed the shutter mechanism 50 that blocks the bill insertion slot 6. The shutter mechanism 50 is configured to be normally in a state for opening the bill insertion slot 6, closed when a bill is inserted and the bill detecting sensor 18 detects a rear end of the bill 15 (the bill detecting sensor 18 is OFF) , and thus prevent fraud and the like. More specifically, the shutter mechanism 50 has the rotating pieces 52 that are rotatably driven to appear at predetermined intervals in the direction perpendicular 20 to the bill feeding direction in the bill feeding path 5, and a solenoid (pull-type) 54 that is a driving source that rotatably drives the rotating pieces 52. In this case, the rotatingpieces52 are installedin twolocations in the width direction of a spindle 55, and long holes 25 Sc extending in the bill feeding direction are formed in the bill feeding face 3a of the lower frame 2B constituting the bill feeding path 5 to cause respective rotating Pieces 52 to appear. Further, on the downstream side of the bill reading means 20 is provided a bill passage detecting sensor 60 that detects passage of the bill. The bill passage 5 detecting sensor 60 is to generate a detection signal when the bill judged as being valid is further fed to the downstream side, and the sensor 60 detects the rear end of the bill. Based on the occurrence f the detection signal, the energization of the solenoid 54 is released 1.0 (the solenoid is OFF), and the driving shaft 54a moves in the protruding direction by the biasing force of the biasing spring provided in the driving shaft 54a. By this means, the rotating pieces 52 constituting the shutter mechanism are rotatably driven to open the bill feeding 15 path via the spindle 55 synchronized with the driving shaft 54a. The bill passage detecting sensor 60 is, as in the bill detecting sensor 18, comprised of an optical type sensor (regression reflective photosensor), and formed 20 of a prism 60a installed on the upper frame 2A side and a sensor body 60b installed on the lower frame 2B side. Naturally, the bill passage detecting sensor 60 may be comprised of a mechanical type sensor, as well as the optical type sensor. 25 In the vicinity of the bill insertion slot 6 is provided an informing device that informs that the bill is being inserted in a visible manner. Such an informing device can be comprised of, for example, an LED 70 rhat blinks, is lit when a user inserts a bill in the bill insertion slot 6, and informs the user of the bill being handled. It is thereby possible to prevent the user from 5 erroneously inserting a next bill. Referring to FIGs.2, 3 and 6, described below is the configuration of the bill reading means 20 installed in the upper frame 2A and lower frame 2B. The bill reading means 20 has a licht-emitting unit 10 24 provided with a first light-emitting portion 23 that is disposed on the upper frame 2A side and that is capable of emitting slit-shaped light over the feeding path width direction on the upper side of the fed bill, and a line sensor 25 disposed on the lower frame 2B side. 15 The line sensor 25 installed on the lower frame 2B side has a light-receiving portion 26 disposed opposite to the first light-emitting portion 23 in a manner of sandwiching the bill, and second light-emitting portions 27 that are disposed adjacent to opposite sides of the 20 light-receiving portion 26 on the bill feeding direction and that are capable of emitting slit-shaped light. The first light-emitting portion 23 disposed opposite to the light-receiving portion 26 of the line sensor 25 functions as a light source for transmission. 25 As shown in FIG.2, the first light-emitting portion 23 is formed as the so-called light guide member 23b made of a synthetic resin formed in the shape of a rectangle rod, and preferably, has functions of receiving emitted light from the light-emitting device 23a such as an LED and the like installed at the end portion, and emitting the light while guiding the light along the longitudinal 5 direction. By this means, it is possible to apply the slit-shaped light uniformly to the entire region in the width direction of the feeding path of the fed bill with a simple configuration. In addition, the light-receiving portion 26 of the 10 line sensor 25 is disposed in the shape of a line inparallel with the first light-emitting portion 23 that is the light guide member, and formed in the shape of a thin plate which extends in the direction of intersecting the bill feeding path 5, and which is formed in the shape of a 15 band having a width to the extent of not affecting the sensitivity of a light-receiving sensor, not shown, provided in the light-receiving portion 26. More specifically, the portion 26 has a configuration where a plurality of CCDs (Charge Coupled Device) is provided 20 in the shape of a line in the center in the thickness direction of the light-receiving portion 26, and a Selfoc lens array 26a is arranged in the shape of a line in a position above the CCDs to gather the transmitted light and reflected light. 25 The second light-emitting portions 27 of the line sensor 25 function as light sources for reflection. As showninFIG.3, eachof the secondlight-emittingportions is formed, as in the first light-emitting portion 23, as the so-called light guide member 27b made of a synthetic resin formed in the shape of a rectangle rod, and preferably, has functions of receiving emitted light from 5 the light-emitting device 2/7a such as an LED and the like installed at the end portion, and emitting the light while guiding the light along the longitudinal direction. By this means, it is possible to apply the slit-shaped light uniformly to the entire region in the width direct-ion 10 of the feeding path of the fed bill with a simple configuration. In addition, each of the second light-emitting portions 27 is capable of applying the light to the bill at an elevation angle of 45 degrees, and is disposed so 15 that the reflected light from the bill is received in the light-receiving portion 26 (light-receiving sensor) . In this case, the light emitted from the second light-emitting portion 27 is input to the light-receiving portion 26 at an angle of 45 degrees, but the incident 20 angle is not limited to 45 degrees, arid can be set as appropriate in ranges capable of reliably receiving the reflected light. Therefore, an arrangement of the second light-emitting portions 27 and second light-receiving portion 26 can be modified in design as appropriate 25 corresponding to the configuration of the bill handling apparatus. Further, the second light-emitting portions 27 are installed on the opposite sides with the PA27042 59 light-receiving portion 26 sandwiched therebetween to emit the light from the opposite sides respectively at an angle of 45 degrees . This is because when a tear, crease and the like are present on the bill surface and the light 5 is applied to a concavo-convex portion caused by a portion of the tear, crease or the like from only one side, a shaded area may be caused in the concavo-convex portion by shielding the light. Therefore, by emitting the light from the opposite sides, it is possible to prevent the 10 concavo-convex portion frombeing darkened, and to obtain image data with higher accuracy than in emission from one side. Naturally, the second light-emitting portion 27 may be configured to be installed on only one side. The line sensor 25 is exposed to the bill feeding 15 path 5, and is thereby provided with concavo-convex portions 25a, as shown in FIG.2, on opposite ends of its surface portion (that is substantially the same plane as the feeding face 3a) in the bill feeding direction to catch the fed bill hardly. Further, as in the line 20 sensor 25, the light emitting unit 24 is provided with concavo-convex portions 24a, as shown in FIG.2, on opposite ends of its surface portion in the bill feeding direction to catch the fed bill hardly. The second light-emitting portion 27 (hereinafter, 25 also referred to as the light guide member 27) formed as a light guide member of the line sensor 25 is installed to enter inside the side wall portion 3b. In this case, as shown in FIG.3, the light guide member 27 entering the side wall or tion 3b is that an end portion (preferably opposite end portions) of the light guide member 27 extending in the width direction of the bill feeding path 5 is only required to be positioned outward in the width direction from the side wall portion 3b forming the frame 2, and more specifically, to be preferably installed in a position more outward in the width direction than an inner face 3b' defining the side wall portion 3b. In 10 addition, the inner faces 3b' are defined by regulating wall faces that regulate the opposite sides of the fed bill when the bill feeding path 5 is viewed in a plan view as in FIG.3. For a length by which the end portion of the light 15 guide member 27 enters the side wall potion 3b, it is preferable to consider the emission amount of the light guide member. In other words, generally, in a light guide member for coupling light from one end side and emitting the propagated light, there is a tendency that the emission 20 amounts decrease at the opposite end portions. Therefore, the opposite end portions that are such regions where the emission amounts decrease are made positioned inside the side wall portions 3b, and it is thus possible to improve the bill reading accuracy by using the area 25 where the emission amount is adequate. Further, in the above-mentioned configuration, it is preferable forming an opening 3D in the side wall port ion 3b constituting the frame so that the _ ne sensor 25 slides into the opening and is capable of being installed inside. This opening 3D is configured in a similar shape to that of the side face portion of the line sensor 25, and as 5 shown in FIG.7, is formed in a substantially convex shape. In other words, the line sensor 25 is provided with the light guide member 27 extending in the width direction and the light-receiving portion 26, and is mounted on a sensor board 25A installed with a circuit for causing 10 the light guide member 27 to emit light, a detecting circuit that detects the light incident upon the CCDs provided in line-shape to constitute the light receiving portion 26, an amplifier that amplifies an output of the detection circuit, an A/D converter that converts the amplified 15 output signal into a digital signal, a control section to control these kinds of devices, and the like. The sensor board 25A is attached to a hold frame 25b in the shape of a substantially rectangle. Then, the hold frame 25B for holding the line sensor 25 and sensor board 25A 20 is formed in a substantially convex portion as viewed from the side, and the opening 3D is configured in the shape corresponding to such a shape. The line sensor 25 is slid and installed in a predetermined position of the lower frame 2b, together 25 with the hold frame 25B, through the opening 3D, as shown by the arrow in FIG.8. More specifically, the line sensor 25 and sensor board 25A slid and inserted through the opening 3D formed in the lower frame 2B are fixed to predetermined positions in the lower frame 2B by screwing screws 80 into screw holes respectively formed in four corner portions of the hold frame 25B. 5 Thus, according to the configuration where the opening 3D is formed in the lower frame 2B constituting the apparatus body, and the line sensor 25 is slid and attached through the opening portion, it is possible to shorten the length of the entire apparatus in the bill 10 feeding path width direction, and to install the line sensor 25 without decreasing the strength of the side wall portion 3b. FIG.9 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the control means for controlling the 15 bill handling apparatus 1 provided with the bill feeding mechanism 8, bill reading means 20, shutter mechanism 50 and the like. The control means 30 is provided with a control circuit board 100 for controlling the operation of each 20 driving apparatus as described above. On the control circuit board 100 are mounted a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110 constituting the bill identifying means, ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, RAM (Random Access Memory) 114 and a reference data storage section 116. 25 The ROM 112 stores operation programs for driving apparatuses such as the driving motor 10, solenoid 54, LED 70 and the like, various kinds of programs such as an authentication judgment program and the like, and permanently data. The CPU 110 operates according to the programs stored in the ROM 112, inputs and outputs signals to/from the driving apparatuses as described above via 5 an I/O port 120, and controls the operation of the bill handling apparatus. In other words, the CPU 110 is connected to a driving motor driving circuit 125 (driving motor 10), solenoid 54, and LED 70 via the I/O port 120. The driving apparatuses are controlled in operation by 10 control signals from theCPU 110 according to theoperation programs stored in the ROM 112. Further, the CPU 110 receives a detection signal from the bill detecting sensor 18, and a detection signal from the bill passage detecting sensor 60via the I/Oport120, andbasedon these detection 15 signals, controls forward/reverse driving of the driving motor 10, blinking of the LED 70, and driving of the solenoid 54. The RAM 114 stores the data and programs used for the CPU 110 to operate, and acquires the received light 20 data of a bill targeted for judgment to temporarily store. The data is compared with the reference data stored in the reference data storage section 116, and the authentication judgment processing is thereby perf ormed. In addition, in this embodiment, the reference data is 25 stored in the dedicated reference data storage section 116, but may be stored in the ROM 112. Further, although the reference data of the genuine bill may be stored beforehand in the reference data storage section 116, for example, the genuine bill is fed through the bill feeding mechanism 8 to acquire the received light data, and the data may be stored as the reference data. Further, the CPU 110 is connected to the first light-emitting portion (light guide member) 23 in the light-emitting unit 24, and the light-receiving portion 26 and second light-emitting portions (light guide members) 27 in the line sensor 25 via the I/O port 120. 10 These portions constitute a bill authentication Judgment section 150 together with the CPU 110, ROM 112, RAM 114 and reference data storage section 116, and control the operations required fro the authentication judgment in the bill handling apparatus 1. 15 Furthermore, the CPU 110 is connected to a control section of the game media lending apparatus into which the bill handling apparatus 1 is incorporated, and an upper apparatus 200 such as a host computer and the like of an external apparatus, via the I/O port 120, and 20 transmits various kinds of signals (such as information of the bill, alarm signal and the like) to the upper apparatus. According to the bill handling apparatus configured as described above, when the bill detecting sensor 18 25 detects insertion of a bill and becomes ON, the driving motor 10 is forward driven, and the LED 70 is lit . The feeding roller pairs 12, 13 and 14 are thereby driven to rotate in the bill insertion direction to feed the bill inside the apparatus, and the user is notified of the bill being handled to prevent insertion of an additional bill. 5 The bil 1. is fed inside the appara Lus, the bill reading means 20 thereby reads the information, and the control means 30 executes the authentication judgment processing. At this point, in this embodiment, when the bill detecting sensor 18 detects the rear end of the bill (the bill 10 detecting sensor 18 is OFF) , the solenoid 54 is energized, and the rotating pieces 52 are thereby driven to rotate and block the bill insertion slot 6. When the bill is judged as being genuine in the above-mentioned authentication judgment processing, the 15 bill is further fed to the downstream side . At this point, to be able to support money-back processing and the like that would occur due to some reason, the processing for causing the bill to temporarily wait may be performed. Then, in the stage where the rear end of the bill further 20 fed to the downstream side is detected by the bill passage detecting sensor 60, the driving of the driving motor 10 is halted. With the halt, the driving of the solenoid 54 is made OFF (energization is canceled) to withdraw the rotating pieces 52 from the bill feeding path 5, the 25 bill insertion opening 6 is opened, and the LED 70 is extinguished. In addition, whenthebill is judged being not genuine 02) E:1 '_9 in the above-mentioned authentication judgment processing, the processing for driving the driving motor 10 reversely is executed in this stage, the shutter mechanism 50 is opened, and the bill is sent back toward 5 the bill insertion opening s.ide. In this send-back processing, in the stage where the rear end of the bill is detecting by the bill detecting sensor 18, the LED 70 is extinguished. In the bill handling apparatus 1 configured as 10 described above, the light-emitting portion 27 provided in the line sensor 25 in the bill reading means 20 is configured as a light guide member, and emits the entire width direction of the fedbill, and it is thereby possible to improve the identification accuracy. Further, the 15 light guide member 27 has the configuration where light is input from the light-emitting device 27a such as an LED and the like, and applied to the bill being fed, and the cost is thereby reduced as compared with the configuration where a plurality of LEDs or the like is 20 arranged. Further, as shown in FIG.3, the light guide member 27 is installed to enter inside at its opposite ends the side wall portions 3b of the frame constituting the apparatus body, and the entire apparatus is thereby made compact. Further, in the light guide member 27, 25 since the opposite ends where emission amounts generally decrease enter the side wall portions 3b, it is possible to avoid regions where the bill identification accuracy is unstable, and to improve the bill identification accuracy. Further, as shown in FIG.3, the light-emitting device 27a is installed in the end portion of the light 5 guide member 27, and thus enters the side wall port-ion 3b, and the entire apparatus is thereby made compact as compared with the configuration, for example, where a plurality of LEDs is arranged to form a light-emitting portion. 10 In addition, in the configuration of the frame of the apparatus body as described above, the notch concave portions 3d are formed in the side wall portions 3b to position the end portions of the light guide member 27. As showninFIG.2, the notch concave portions 3dare formed 15 to expose the bill feeding face 3a on the lower frame 2B side, and configured so that the end portions of the light guide member 27 are positioned in the notch portions. Further, when the upper frame 2A is put on the lower frame 2B to close, the opposite end portions of the 20 light-emitting unit 24 provided with the light-guide member 23 provided on the upper frame 2Aside are positioned inside the notch concave portions 3d, and it is thereby possible to reduce the size not only in the width direction of the bill feeding path but also in the thickness 25 direction. Furthermore, since the opposite end portions of the light guidemember 23 provided in the light-emitting unit 24 are also are positioned inside the notch concave portions 3d as in the lih guide member 27, it is possible to miniaturize in the width direction of iche bill feeding oath, while since the end portions where the emission amounts decrease are positioned in the notch concave 5 portions formed in the side wall portions 3b, it is possible to avoid regions where the bill identification accuracy is unstable, and to improve the bill identification accuracy. In the foregoing, the embodiment of the invention 10 is described, but it is a feature of the invention that a light-emitting portion constituting the bill reading means is a light guide member, and that the light guide member is installed to be positioned inside the side wall portions of the frame, and the other configurations are 15 capable of being modified as appropriate. For example, the configuration and arrangement pattern of the reading means (sensor) for reading a bill, method of reading the bill, method of performing the bill authentication judgment processing and the like are not limited to the 20 above-mentioned embodiment, and are capable of being carried into practice with various modifications thereof. The bill handling apparatus of the invention is capable of being incorporated into various kinds of apparatuses that provide products and/or service by 25 inserting a bill, while being not limited to a game media lending apparatus. Further, this embodiment describes the apparatus for handling bills as an example, but the D A -7 Ij 2 invention is applicable to apparatuses fo- making an authentication judgment on gold certificates, securities and the like. Additional advantages and modifications will 5 readily occur to those ski lied in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the 10 spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (11)

1. A bill handling apparatus comprising: a frame having a bill feeding path in which a bill is 5 fed, and a side wall portion provided in a width direction of the bill feeding path; a bill reading section, installed in the frame, for reading a fed bill; and a bill identifying section for identifying 10 authentication of the bill read by the bill reading section, wherein the bill reading section has a light guide member to which light is input from a light-emitting device, as a light-emitting portion that applies the light to the fed 15 bill, the light guide member is a rod-shaped member extending widthwise of the bill feeding path, and guides the light input from one end to the other end along a longitudinal direction of the light guide member; 20 both ends of the light guide member are disposed in side wall portions of the frame; and a portion other than said both ends of the light guide member is disposed on the bill feeding path defined at each of the side wall portions of the frame. 25

2. The bill handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting device is installed at the end portion of the light guide member. 30

3. The bill handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bill reading section is provided with a line sensor having the light guide member, and C:\4Ronbl\DCC\MAS453i807_.DOC-22A)82012 -29 an opening is formed in the side wall portion to enable the line sensor to be slid and installed.

4. The bill handling apparatus according to claim 1, 5 wherein a notch concave portion is formed in the side wall portion so that the end portion of the light guide member is positioned therein.

5. The bill handling apparatus according to claim 1, 10 wherein the frame has a lower frame with the side wall portion and an upper frame openable/closable with respect to the lower frame to cover the lower frame, and the bill reading section has a light-emitting unit provided with the light-emitting portion that is disposed on 15 the upper frame side for emitting slit-shaped light over the feeding path width direction on the upper side of the fed bill, and a line sensor disposed on the lower frame side.

6. The bill handling apparatus according to claim 5, 20 wherein the line sensor has a light-receiving portion disposed opposite to the light-emitting portion of the light-emitting unit in a manner of sandwiching the bill, and the light-emitting portions that are disposed adjacent to opposite sides of the light-receiving portion on the bill 25 feeding direction for emitting slit-shaped light.

7. The bill handling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the light-emitting portions of the line sensor apply the light to the bill from the opposite sides of the light 30 receiving portion respectively at an elevation angle of predetermined degrees, and are disposed so that the C:NRPobl\DCC\MAS531S07_1 DOC-22A8/2012 -30 reflected light from the bill is received in the light receiving portion.

8. The bill handling apparatus according to claim 3, 5 wherein the line sensor is provided with concavo-convex portions on opposite ends of its surface portion in the bill feeding direction to catch the fed bill hardly.

9. The bill handling apparatus according to claim 6, 10 wherein the opposite end portions of the light-emitting portions of the line sensor are positioned to enter inside the side wall portion.

10. The bill handling apparatus according to claim 5, 15 wherein when the upper frame is put on the lower frame to close, the opposite end portions of the light-emitting portion of the light-emitting unit provided on the upper frame side are positioned to enter inside the side wall portion. 20

11. A bill handling apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.